About

$43,091

pledged of $25,000 goal

910

backers

The Neck is a Bridge to the Body is a new kind of guitar exploration with live music and video projection. What sets this show apart is that for the first time the guitar itself is being used as a projection screen. The show opens as a creation story where the notes and sounds create the images. It then broadens into an exploration of the guitar where we learn that it is shape shifter, it has travelled all over the world, it has a background with friends and family, and it even has an internal skeleton and nervous system. Finally, we see that music creates the musician, and the guitar creates the guitarist.

I need you to help me and visual arts company, Glowing Pictures, produce the debut show, which will happen at BRIC House in Brooklyn, NY, on March 6, and to build something that I can take on the road and share with you all.

One of the things I've tried to do in my career as a guitarist is to push the limits of the guitar far beyond what is expected. I'm always employing new techniques, tunings, and approaches in order to coax out sounds that haven't been heard before. This show is an extension and exploration of that philosophy. If the guitar can show any picture or wear any kind of skin then how will I relate to it as an instrument that I'm so comfortable with, and is it possible for an audience to see such a familiar object in an entirely new way? Those are the questions that The Neck tries to answer.

All the images you will see in this show will be original, from the digital creations and animations that Glowing Pictures invents, to videos and movies that we will produce ourselves. This takes an enormous amount of time and effort, and your help will go towards hiring the best team possible and making sure that everyone can spend all the time they need on achieving the most artistic result.

This project has required me to write all new music to play live, and we want to record an album of the soundtrack to accompany the show. This will involve all of the usual costs of making and mastering an album, and your contribution will help greatly here.

Here are some of the pieces of equipment we will need to purchase:

HD projectors

mapping software

still/video camera

custom large screen with portable stands

dedicated computer to run the software

custom guitar effects pedal to control sound of the guitar

HDMI cables and equipment stands

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video and read through this page. I think this project has incredible potential and I'm so excited to get started. Feel free to ask any questions you have about the project or the rewards. I appreciate your support so much and I can't wait to share this project with you!

Love, Kaki

Risks and challenges

Whenever you have to create original visuals and movies there are always expensive production costs and lengthy time frames to consider. I also want to make sure that the artists are compensated for their original work.

Getting this show on the road presents its own challenges. A custom screen needs to be built, equipment needs to be bought, and a professional team needs to be trained.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

THE TUNING PEG - A digital download of "THE NECK IS A BRIDGE TO THE BODY" ALBUM + Custom Kaki digital wallpaper (Taken at "The Neck") + Your name will be included in the supporter screen shown during the credits of "The Neck", + You'll be signed up for EXCLUSIVE UPDATES from Kaki King!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

THE NECK - LIVE STREAM OF THE SHOW! Kickstarter Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" at its NYC premier + pre-order of "THE NECK IS A BRIDGE TO THE BODY" CD + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

THE BRIDGE - POSTCARD Limited Kickstarter only "Thank You" personalized Postcard (made from a photo from the premiere) + Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

THE STEEL STRING - VINYL ALERT! Limited Kickstarter only pre-order of "THE NECK IS A BRIDGE TO THE BODY" vinyl record + Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

NYC "The Neck" Concert Ticket (Early Show) - You will receive (1) ticket to "The Neck" 3/6/14 at 7:30pm + A digital download of "THE NECK" ALBUM + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

NYC "The Neck" Concert Ticket (Late Show) - You will receive (1) ticket to "The Neck" 3/6/14 at 9:30pm + A digital download of "THE NECK" ALBUM + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

THE TOP - Kaki will record your voicemail greeting complete with an original guitar ditty + Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

THE BODY - 3D POSTER! Limited Kickstarter only "The Neck" 3D Silk Screen Poster w/ 3D Glasses + A digital download of "THE NECK IS A BRIDGE TO THE BODY" + Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

THE SOUNDHOLE - Signed "The Neck" 3D Silk Screen Poster w/ 3D Glasses + pre-order of "THE NECK" VINYL or CD + "Thank You" Postcard + Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

SKYPE LESSON - Kaki will listen to your music, assess your playing skill, and tailor a 45-60 minute lesson to fit your needs and the techniques of Kaki's you most want to learn. All from the comfort of your own home!

+ Exclusive Access to a LIVE STREAM OF "THE NECK" + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

PRIVATE LESSON - Kaki will sit down with you in person at her Brooklyn, NY studio for a private 90 minute lesson and hopefully teach you something you've never learned before on guitar. (Travel not included) + You will receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Congratulations! Your full name will be printed in the credits on the CD and vinyl versions of the new album as an Executive Producer. + You will receive everything included in "THE HEADSTOCK" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

NYC WORKSHOP - This day-long workshop will take place at a private studio in Brooklyn, NY on June 7, 2014 (subject to change). It will incorporate individual and group instruction. Kaki will share the best of her tips, tricks, techniques, experience, and advice. Beginners to advanced players are welcome. Travel to and accommodation in NYC not included. You will also receive everything included in "THE TUNING PEG" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

"Glow" Vinyl Poster (One of a kind) - You will receive a beautiful heavy weight vinyl poster of the cover of Glow. It is 6 ft high and 4 ft wide and is absolutely stunning. It was used once on the set of a commercial project and has been rolled up and protected ever since. You will also receive everything included in "THE HEADSTOCK" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

DUBSPOT (NYC) 3 Month Visual Performance Program - Want to learn how to create stunning visual art much like will be seen in "The Neck", then this reward is for YOU!

You will learn how to perform with visuals through hands-on practice producing and performing while learning how to use a toolkit of the latest software. Create your own hardware and software setup for live shows. Record a demo reel of visuals and make your own music video. Taught by David Lublin, creator of VDMX. More Info - http://www.dubspot.com/visual-performance/

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

NEW reward: Another test GUITAR! Very early on in this project we used an Ovation Elite TX guitar to test our ideas. It's a fabulous sounding guitar with a slightly longer neck so you can get very low tunings out of it. Includes our own custom spray paint job of various whites and greys (also signed) + You will receive everything included in "THE HEADSTOCK" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

THE GUITAR - You'll receive a signed original Kaki King model Ovation Adamas guitar that was given a custom paint job at the Ovation factory to test "The Neck". This is the exact same top of the line guitar that Kaki has used in her live shows for years + You will receive everything included in "THE HEADSTOCK" Reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

HOUSE CONCERT - Kaki will come to your house or dwelling and play a private show that you can invite as many friends to as you like. Limited to the Continental USA (ok I will totes go to Hawaii, just sayin) + You will receive everything included in "THE HEADSTOCK" Reward.